ALBANY— The New York Power Authority (NYPA)
spotlighted the benefits of its energy efficiency projects and other
clean energy services with an exhibit at the Somos El Futuro, the
19th Annual Legislative Conference of the New York State Assembly
Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, which was held here last Friday
through Sunday at Empire State Plaza.

The Somos El Futuro conference brings together
thousands of New Yorkers who represent the state’s Hispanic
community. In attendance last weekend were federal, state and local
elected officials, community and business leaders and those
concerned with labor relations.

“This is an opportunity for us to highlight some of
the innovative electricity-saving measures we’ve undertaken under
Governor Pataki’s leadership to lower the electricity bills of
thousands of tax-supported public facilities across the state,
including Empire State Plaza,” said Timothy S. Carey, NYPA president
and chief executive officer. “The Power Authority is a leader in
energy efficiency, not only to lower utility bills, but also to
strengthen reliability of electricity service and improve air
quality. This is in addition to trailblazing new, clean technologies
like solar power and fuel cells, which support the Governor’s
ambitious goal for at least 25 percent of the state’s electricity to
come from renewables by 2013.”

To date, NYPA has completed 1,450 clean energy and
energy efficiency projects at more than 2,350 facilities statewide,
for annual savings of $92 million and reduction in peak electricity
use of 193,000 kilowatts, or the amount of power for about 150,000
homes. These initiatives, pursued under various energy services
programs, have also reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by
730,000 tons and dependence on foreign oil by more than 1.5 million
barrels a year.

Carey noted that NYPA continues to add to these
numbers, investing up to $100 million a year in its clean energy
services for public facilities statewide.

The Power Authority’s efforts have included new
lighting, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems;
automated energy-management systems; electric motors;
energy-efficient refrigerators for public housing; and clean
furnaces at public schools. NYPA’s energy services also include
placing or helping to place about 800 clean electric-drive vehicles
on the road in its statewide fleet of vehicles and those of its
customers.

The Authority’s exhibit at the legislative
conference featured photos underscoring the value the state public
power utility brings beyond ordinary generation and transmission of
electricity.

The Somos El Futuro conference’s mission is to
provide a forum for the development of legislative and budgetary
initiatives of concern to Hispanic communities throughout the
state. The conference also features workshops, seminars and special
forums to acknowledge the significant contributions of Hispanics to
the vibrant mosaic of New York.

About NYPA:

■ NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It
finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues
earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a
leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and
electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation’s
largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating plants in
various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of
transmission lines